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>You can do it!

>

I was listening to a podcast the other day, it was pretty political in nature, but the guest on the show said something that I thought was pretty interesting.Now, I am not going to get into politics here. This is NOT a political Blog. I have personal feelings about politics and this is not the forum for it. And the context of the original comment really has nothing to do with how I took and processed it in my mind.What he said was that “a person (individual) can either be anything, or they can be nothing”.Here is how I processed that, and by the way it is pretty much in line with what he was saying (take the politics out of it).A person that apply’s them self, works hard, and gives 100% can be anything in this country. I feel that is true no matter what race, creed, or demographic you find yourself in. There are stories every day about rising from the bottom and making something out of themselves. We see it in TV shows like the “Biggest Looser” where a person that is motivated to do better will. They take advantage of a program that will help them, but at the end of the day.. it is their personal drive and will that makes them stay on track and find success.We can apply that in every part of our lives. I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth and can honestly say that I have never went without. Why? Because my parents and their parents were hard workers. They believed that they had a responsibility to take care of their families. My Dad worked multiple jobs and lots of over time so our family could have the things that we wanted. That work ethic carried from generation to generation and I have it too. My parents and their parents never took and hand out or asked the government for anything. They made a comfortable life for themselves by working hard.I have never not had a job. When I was a teen ager, I walked dogs, mowed lawns, shoveled snow, house sat, baby sat, raked leaves, and rolled newspapers for delivery. I joined the Army after High School to see the world and have fun. That I did. When I got out of the Army, I sold jeans, worked as a handyman, cut trail, repaired Mountain Bikes, and drive a Truck for UPS. I have not had a day that I was unemployed.I see so many young people.. and older folks alike that walk away from work and then complain that unemployment is too high. Where I work, they hired 22 new full time employees. All but 2 quit, when asked why they would turn away an $80,000 a year job with full benefits they said the work was to hard.They do not have what it takes to be successful.We can be whatever we want, if we apply ourselves. We see it in the papers every day.. there are private companies all over our area that are screaming for employees. And yet we have 10% unemployment.I am compassionate, but have a hard time feeling sorry for someone that will not work.We can be anything.. or nothing. It is a choice. Are there exceptions? Sure there are. There are people with real disabilities that can not work. But then again, there are many people taking advantage of the system. Fully able to work and make something out of there lives.. but they make a choice.This has nothing to do with race, religion, or economic back ground.Did you know that after the civil war there were two “freed slaves” that became Millionaires? Yes it is true.. how.. they worked hard and made smart choices. I love a good rags to riches story.. and when you break them down, it was not the lottery or a hand out that made them what they are. It always comes down to hard work.Now, it may seem that I am being harsh and insensitive.. and maybe I am. But when it comes to teaching Scouts to be good men, men of Character, good citizens, and fit. I think it is important that they all develop a strong will and work ethic. We have programs in Scouting that can reinforce that. But we must make it happen.Youth leadership, the merit badge program, adventure and the list goes on.We need to believe that our Scouts can be anything, more important.. they need to believe that they can be anything.. or they can be nothing. Their choice.Have a Great Scouting Day!

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>Great article Jerry. I have to say that I agree with you. If a person wants to be successful you need to work with that goal in mind. Just like in Scouting where a boy has to work long and hard to earn the Eagle Rank, so to does a person have to work at his job and family to be successful and accomplish his/her goals.

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"There are little things in life that helps to ‘center us’, and one of those was your blog. I am feeling more fulfilled now! Glad you are back" - Nate
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Jerry, you’re an excellent communicator, you have a very experienced and level headed view of Scouting and you definitely are a great example of a servant leader. Seriously, I think you should be working for BSA National - Trent